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After a weekend-long cleanup and consolidation of their makeshift municipality and two meetings with city officials, the protesters learned Wednesday morning that they will be issued a permit allowing them to maintain a 24-hour presence in the city-owned park between City Hall and the Capitol until Dec. 22.

The city gave Occupy Albany until Tuesday to correct 15 code violations found at the then 80-tent encampment during a surprise inspection Friday. Only three minor violations were found when Albany Fire Chief Robert Forezzi and code inspectors combed throughout the site Tuesday. Occupy Albany members said they would amend the problems by the end of the day.

Occupy Albany maintains that the permit is not a concession, but a means of maintaining a peaceful coexistence with the city while they try to negotiate terms for what will happen come Dec. 22. The city, fearing health risks that come from camping all night in the bitter cold, maintains it will not allow protesters to slumber in the park come the first day of winter. Occupy Albany remains adamant they need to be in the park 24 hours a day.

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